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Bradenton's professional baseball team has a name thanks to hundreds of suggestions from the community. That calls for a celebration!

The name and team logo will be unveiled at a public ceremony beginning at noon, Saturday October 21, in the food court at the DeSoto Square Mall. Then, starting at 8 pm that same night, the team invites everyone to join in a celebration at a World Series party at the Sport Legends Bar and Grill, 4822 14th Street West in Bradenton.

Bradenton Baseball officials reached out to the people of the greater-Manatee area to gather suggestions for the team's new moniker with a "Name the Team" contest. The community stepped to the plate in a big way and submitted more than a thousand entries of catchy names for Bradenton's newest entry into the pro sports scene.

"The response of the fans was truly overwhelming," said Omar Roque, vice president of Florida Operations for the South Coast League. "We believe this a great indication of just how strongly the area will support professional baseball in Bradenton in 2007."

The "Name the Team" contest winner will be announced at the unveiling ceremony. That lucky person will receive two 2007 season tickets, Bradenton Baseball Merchandise and the right to present the 2007 Opening Day lineup Card to the umpire prior to the start of the game.

The team hopes everyone will join their celebration party at Sport Legends Saturday night. The World Series will be playing on the big screens. Between innings, promotions and contests will be held with many great prizes up for grabs.

SATURDAY, OCT. 21

NOON- NAME & LOGO UNVEILING, DESOTO SQUARE MALL

8 PM- CELEBRATION, SPORT LEGENDS BAR & GRILL

The Bradenton ball club will take the field at Robert C. Wynn Field located on the campus of Manatee Community College. Unlike minor league teams that are affiliated, the Independent Bradenton franchise will be responsible for scouting, signing and paying their own players. Offering fan-friendly, affordable fun, they will join five other charter franchises to begin South Coast League play in May of 2007.